Count Basie

Count Basie & Friends - Count Basie & Friends

NTSC/Region Code 0. A star-studded evening of swing, featuring legendary Count Basie, his hard driving orchestra, and an amazing series of vocalists: Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, George Benson, and Joe Williams. Deftly shot at a crowded Carnegie Hall in 1981, the program is packed with music 21 numbers range from Basie classics of the swing era to gutbucket blues to sophisticated pop. Each star vocalist brings unique style and spontaneity to a musical collaboration with Basie and the band. Standout moments include Joe William's reprise of 'Every Day I Have The Blues', his big hit of the 1950's; George Benson singing and playing electric guitar on the Basie classic 'One O'Clock Jump'; Tony Bennett and Basie collaborating on a Duke Ellington set; and Sarah Vaughan, adding her own trio to the mix and tearing down the house on 'Just Friends'. Intense soloing from the Basie instrumentalists, Basie's own distinctive piano playing, a duet between Vaughan and Benson, and a climactic finale involving all four singers - these and many other elements make this concert one to remember. Immortal. 2005.